Fani-Kayode Threatens To Sue Amaechi, Seeks N5bn As Damages

The former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened to sue the Minister of Transportion, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, his comments on ChannelTV on two billion naira allegedly transferred by the former governor of Rivers state, Dr. Peter Odili to the Ministry of Aviation to fix Port-Harcourt runway.

Fani-Kayode through his lawyers on Monday demanded apology and N5billion as damages saying that Amaechi disparaged Fani-Kayode by ‘his remarks, in the eyes of right thinking members of the society; and these remarks have been found to be false and slanderous.’

Re: Defamation of Chief Femi Kani-Kayode by Hon. Rotimi Amaechi in an interview with the Channels TV

Our representation is for Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in respect of the aforedescribed occasion.

It has come to our notice that you granted an interview with Channels TV on Thursday the 27th of April 2017. In that infamous interview which was broadcast throughout Nigeria and the United Kingdom, including postings and references to same in myriad of social media platforms, you made some serious remarks and allegations against our Client, with respect to the role he played while serving as Minister of Aviation n 2007. You particularly alleged that our Client failed to repair the Port Harcourt Airport Runway, but “he ran away with the sum of Two Billion Naira which was transferred for that purpose to the Ministry of Aviation, by the Rivers State government, under the administration of the erstwhile Governor Peter Odili.

In addition to the above, by an emphatic and hysterical outburst, you unwittingly reiterated this obnoxious remark, despite an intervention by the moderator to guide you into caution, a tailored comment and an adjustment of the unguarded utterances. Apart from the fact that there is no modicum of truth in the wild and unsubstantiated remark, it is on a verifiable record that Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, was contracted for the Asphalt Resurfacing of the said Port Harcourt Airport Runway. Beyond that, the project was concluded within 7 months of our Client’s occupation of the office as Minister of Aviation, and the completion exercise was commissioned by Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. All these pieces of information are in the public domain and overtly to your knowledge.

For malicious and malevolent reasons, you however elected to misrepresent our Client in the public glare, by deliberating infusing false, dishonest and untrue comments about him into the minds of right thinking members of the society. More worrisome is the fact that you were conscious of this falsehood, in consequence of which you systematically and intentionally failed to admit yourself to caution, but resolved to pollute the media stream for unsuspecting person to drink of this fabrication, which was actuated by bad faith, reprisal and dishonourable intentions. Without mincing words, you have disparaged our Client by your remarks, in the eyes of right thinking members of the society; and these remarks have been found to be false and slanderous of him.

Our brief is to intimate you of this grievances character breach on the person of our Client and his hard earned reputation. Our Client has not only suffered the loss of good will, but has now been subjected to opprobrium by his fans, followers an business associates. Being conscious of his rights, both in law and equity, our Client is minded to afford you an opportunity to undo the evil you have done, by retracting the said insalubrious remarks on the same Channels TV, and apologising to him, both on Channels TV and two other National Dailies. You are also advised to enter into negotiations with us for the sum of Five Billion Naira, being a token amount for penitence, as opposed to the magnitude of infraction caused to our Client’s nobility.

It is imperative to bear in mind that you have 14 years from receipt of this letter to comply with the highlighted mitigating measures, the failure of which will leave our Client with no preferred alternative than to seek redress in Court, the said redress which shall also include a claim that you are unfit to continue to hold the office of Minister of Transportation, because your defamatory and slanderous remarks were borne out of an inept appreciation of basic workings and operations of the Aviation Sector,

Ndigbo Are Not Anti-APC — Lagos Lawmaker

The belief that Ndigbo are generally opposed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) lacks a factual basis, the lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Jude Idimogu, has said.

Idimogu, leader of the Igbo in the APC, said he intended to help change the narrative that Ndigbo did not like APC.

“The problem was that the people were not being carried along but my team and I have decided to effect necessary changes,” he said.

He said the Igbo have benefitted immensely from the APC administration and will gain more.

He urged Ndigbo to support the ruling party and the Buhari administration.

“I believe that the government would also respond. Once you have a positive mind towards the party, you stand a better chance of benefiting from APC government,” he said.

He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for granting financial autonomy to state judiciary and legislature.

He said no other president had the will power to do what President Buhari did.

Idimogu spoke when he visited Eze Greg Ezebuadi Ogboroagha, the supreme traditional head of Ndigbo in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

It is in continuation of his tour of the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

“I believe that before he leaves office, there would be complete local government autonomy. Separation of power is the beauty of democracy.

“Every arm of government operating independently would deliver optimal services, and improve democratic gains,” he said.

2023: Buhari’s Son Picked For Vice President

The National Coordinator of the Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, (CAGG), Barrister Olusegun Bamgbose has declared interest in contesting Nigeria’s presidential seat in 2023.

The lawyer while declaring his interest also expressed optimism that the North would support the emergence of a Southerner as Nigeria’s next president.

He said though zoning is unconstitutional, it is only fair for the North to relinquish power to another region in 2023.

Barrister Bamgbose also hinted on picking Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

The lawyer who is yet to disclose his political party, however, hinted that it is the time for youths to take over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria.

“The South West will forever remember the North for this political gesture,” he noted.

“Even though some political pundits may argue that the North only compensated the South West for the loss of MKO Abiola, who was acknowledged to have won the elections. Whichever way, the North should be appreciated for such a gesture.

“Olusegun Obasanjo handed over power to Yar’adua in 2007, when he died, Jonathan took over. In 2015, the South joined the North to install Buhari.

“It’s therefore politically justifiable for the North to equally support a Southerner to take over power come 2023.

“Obasanjo never disappointed the North and Nigerians, Olusegun Bamgbose will not disappoint Nigerians. As a matter of fact, I’m considering Yusuf Buhari as my running mate come 2023. It’s high time the youths took over power in Nigeria.

“This consideration of mine might look awkward to many Nigerians but it’s because they can’t see what I’m seeing.

“Yusuf Buhari is a material for leadership. I’m blessed with the gift of seeing beyond the physical. I remembered vividly that I once told Jonathan’s Aide that suicide bombing was coming, he doubted me but we all know what’s happening now.

“In 2015 I told Nigerians that Buhari will defeat Jonathan, many thought I was talking nonsense but it came to pass.

“Earlier this year I told Nigerians that a new Chief of Staff will emerge, that has equally happened. Yusuf Buhari is an asset.

“I see him soaring higher politically, other things being equal, he will be my running mate come 2023. He has some hidden potentials which will soon begin to manifest soon to the delight of many Nigerians.

“Whichever you look at it Buhari’s name will be difficult to erase in the political history of Nigeria.”

Bamgbose also noted that even after Buhari’s tenure ends in 2023, the President’s wife, Aisha would still remain politically relevant.

“Even after the exit of Buhari as President of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari will still be prominent and very useful. There is something I’m seeing in her that many Nigerians are ignorant of.

“She is an asset. Nigerians are yet to know the wealth stored in her… I hope to meet Yusuf Buhari soon for some serious political discussions. In all, the North should concede power to the South come 2023. They won’t regret it.”